"I don't think there ever would be a female Bond because that character is tied to an intensely male outlook on the world from a pre-feminist era," Hall said.

"I think it is conceivable there would be characters that are on par with that but there is still a mistrust outside the indie sector that people are interested in seeing women carrying films, which is frankly an archaic view."

Of why she has been cast on more than one occasion as a 'smart girl', Hall added: "I would imagine it is because I am superiorly stupid. I don't know.

"I think it is a combination of things. Intelligent women probably appeal to me more than dumb ones. I am fairly articulate and therefore convincing as a smart person."